Introduction To Manual Therapy

Question 1

Define manual therapy

Answer 1

Manual therapy is any “hands-on” treatment provided by the manual therapist. Treatment may include moving joints in specific directions and at different speeds (joints mobilization and joint manipulation) as well as muscle stretching, passive movement of the affected body part, having the patient to move the body part agains the physiotherapist’s resistance in order to improve muscle activation and timing. Selected specific soft tissues techniques may also be used to improve mobility and function of soft tissues and muscles.

Question 2

Name the 5 schools of thought of Manual therapy

Answer 2

• James Cyriax
• Freddy Kaltenborn
• Geoffrey Maitland
• James Mennel
• Stanley Paris

Question 3

Describe briefly the school of thoughts of James Cyriax

Answer 3

Tension techniques and soft tissue massage

Question 4

Describe the school of thoughts of Freddy Kaltenborn

Answer 4

Technique incorporate the influence of muscle function and soft tissues changes. Techniques are eclectic and very specific.

Question 5

Describe the school of thoughts of Geoffrey Maitland

Answer 5

Uses passive accessory movements to restore the function, history of the patient and objective assessment, oscillations.

Question 6

Describe the school of thoughts of James Mennell

Answer 6

Joint play is the key, small accessory movements

Question 7

Describe the school of thoughts fo Stanley Paris

Answer 7

Incorporate both chiropractic and osteopathic orientations

Question 8

List the 10 manual therapy techniques

Answer 8

• mobilization
• massage
• soft-tissue mobilization
• trigger points release
• myofascial release
• neural release
• proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation
• manual resistance
• stretching
• stabilization

Question 9

Define joint mobilization

Answer 9

Joint mobilization is a manual therapy technique comprising a continuum of skilled passive movements of the joint complex that are applied at varying speed and amplitudes, which may include small amplitude / high velocity therapeutic movement (joint manipulation) with the intent to restore optimal motion, function and/or reduce pain.

Question 10

What are the differences between joint’s mobilization and manipulation ?

Answer 10

• joint mobilization is on a continuum with joint manipulation
• both involve passive movements
• mobilization is under the patient’s control
• manipulation is done at a speed where the patient cannot stop the motion

Question 11

Define physiological joint motion

Answer 11

Is a movement that the patient can do voluntarily and which can be analyzed for quantity, quality and symptom response.

Question 12

Define accessory motion

Answer 12

Is necessary for normal joint motion but cannot be voluntarily performed or controlled. These movements include roll, spin and slide which accompany the physiological movements of a joint. The accessory motions are examined passively to assess range and symptom response in the open pack position of a joint.